Luxury Yala National Park Tours made for you
Experience the wildlife of Yala National Park with a private journey designed just for you
Leopard country
Occupying the south-eastern corner of the island, the vast Yala National Park is Sri Lanka’s second-largest national park and its most popular.
The park itself is divided into five blocks, two of which, Ruhuna and Kumana, can be explored on guided safari game drives, and stretches from the sea inland, encompassing some 979 square kilometres (378 square miles) of forest, wetlands and savannah. This varied landscape provides a vital home for hundreds of Sri Lankan elephants, sloth bears, crocodiles and rare wild water buffalo, as well as over 200 bird species.
But it is the leopard, found here in perhaps the highest concentration in the world, that are iconic of the park. Their secretive nature means spotting Sri Lanka’s top predator is still a challenge, but accompanied by a skilled guide and a little luck, there are a few better places in the world to find these enigmatic cats.
From our experts
Experiences picked by our Yala specialists
Track elusive leopards on a game drive
Head out on a guided game drive to see the elusive leopard.
Marvel at the local birdlife
Spot over 200 species of bird.
Search for elephants in Udawalawe
Explore the less crowded Udawalawe National Park, where mighty elephants can be spotted.
Spot crocs and wild boar
Enjoy a private game drive in Bundala National Park and admire the wildlife, from crocodiles to wild boars.
A word from one of our experts
I really loved my time in Yala – it’s a busy park, but our rangers still managed to find areas where we only had the wildlife for company. I was absolutely blown away by the birdlife in the park – such an incredible variety of species. Leopard sightings aren’t guaranteed, but you’ve got a pretty good chance!
Keith Jarman
Luxury accommodation in Yala National Park
There are many incredible places to stay in Sri Lanka. Here are some of our favourites, handpicked by our travel designers:
Noel Rodrigo’s Leopard Safari Camp
Noel Rodrigos Leopard Safari Camp is a camp in Yala, Sri Lanka.
Discover more
Why book with Jacada?
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Personalised design
We’ll plan your trip around your specific interests, tastes and preferences, providing helpful tips and honest advice based on first-hand knowledge of the destination.
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Authentic experiences
Our expert guides and brilliant travel concierges are hand-picked to provide a genuine experience, bringing your destination to life with care and passion.
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Responsible travel
Our luxury trips are designed with responsible travel principles that prioritise travel experiences that are both good for you and good for the planet.
Trip inspiration
Get inspired with our Sri Lanka example trips and then get in touch to plan your own adventure
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Colombo
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Meet your Indian Subcontinent team
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Cathy Jocubeit
Senior Concierge – Asia Pacific
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Ellie Khoury
Senior Travel Designer
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Georgina Bainbridge
Travel Designer
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Gilda Tang
Client Experience Manager for Asia Pacific
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Gita Widyasari
Asia Pacific Concierge
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Jessica Wijesinghe
Senior Asia Pacific Concierge
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Keith Jarman
Senior Travel Designer
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Kit Wong
Senior Travel Designer
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Leanne Anglo
Travel Designer
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Rachel O Leary
Senior Travel Designer
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Rahma Adiningtyas
Asia Pacific Concierge
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Rosanna Convey
Travel Designer
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Taylor Williamson
Travel Designer
When to visit
Yala National Park can be visited year-round, depending on your interests. The rainy season, from November to April sees short dramatic downpours and brings with it lush vegetation and wildflowers. This is the best time for birders, with many migratory species flying from as far north as Siberia to escape the winter and is good a good time for spotting elephants. The dry season from May to October sees the bush die back and animals congregating around water holes making it the easiest time of year to see leopards, elephants, buffalo, spotted deer, wild boar, eagles, owls and kingfishers though it is hot and dusty.
Lush vegetation and wild flowers
November–April
Best for birding
November–April
Easier game viewing
May–October
When Is the Best Time to Visit Sri Lanka?
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Your trip, your story
We craft trips deeply personal, delightfully surprising and entirely one of a kind. Every Jacada journey begins in conversation with a travel designer, a specialist in their destination of expertise. Behind each journey is a wealth of insight, gathered over years of on-the-ground exploration.
Once you’re booked, you’ll meet your concierge. Based in the region you’re visiting, they’ll take care of all the details so your mind is at rest. They make the trip truly special – and truly yours.